How do I restore my data and continue incremental backups after my computer crashes?

Follow the steps described below to restore data after a complete system crash and to resume incremental backups.

These steps are only necessary if your backup manager program (and/or backup configuration) was lost in the crash (as these files contained the data needed for incremental backups). If you only need to restore files but your backup manager program files and settings are still intact, then simply use the file manager tool to restore the data that you need.

If you still have the backup manager program files and you only want to move them to a new computer (e.g., because you are upgrading to a new computer), then please see the upgrading to a new computer article.

Instructions

Please follow these instructions precisely. The order of these steps is important. If you have questions about your particular scenario, please contact us.

2. Download the settings profile. Start the backup manager program. NOTE: Do not reconfigure the settings. Use the Control Panelpage to start the file manager. Use the file manager to restore all of the files in the @@SoftwareSettings folder to your desktop. Do not restore anything else at this time. NOTE: It will probably prompt for the passphrase.

3. Import your settings profile. In the backup manager, use the File, Import Profile menu command to import the settings profile file that you restored from step 2 above. This will re-import most all of your settings as they existed during your last backup.

WARNING: DO NOT confirm ANY account information!DO NOT "Test Connection". This will be confirmed once it is SAFE to do so.

VERY IMPORTANT: Ensure all backup schedule(s) are disabled (in the backup manager) and DO NOT start any backups until you have completed the next 3 steps otherwise your data set size may duplicate (doubling in size).

5. Rebuild your incremental backup cache. Once you have restored all of your data, open the file manager again. On the data selection page, select all folders. Click next to see the Restore Options page. Check the box that says Rebuild incremental backup cache (advanced). Then continue through all steps to complete the wizard. Instead of restoring your data (which you already did in step 4), it will rebuild your incremental backup cache (this process will only take a few minutes), allowing you to resume incremental backups right where you left off.

NOTE: If the data was copied over (instead of restored in step 4) and is potentially in a different location than the original files, you must update the folder locations. Here is how to do that: Go to the Folders page. If any of the folders are in a new location on the new computer, highlight the folder and click the Move button to change the location.

6. Once the above steps have been completed successfully, confirm account information. Go to the My Account page and re-enter your username that previously was backing up the data on this computer.

7. Reschedule backups after the above is completed successfully. Use the Schedule page to schedule backups so that incremental backups will continue from where they left off.

Notes

If you have already restored your data using a different method (e.g., you had copies of it on a local USB disk), then to continue incremental backups follow the above instructions (especially step 5), but skip step 4.

Note: When “moving” folder locations: take care and select the location that represents the exact same location that was previously selected for the top-level folder. This is very important this is done correctly.